Transferring and holding device for high-risk neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients

ABSTRACT

A transferring and holding device and method for holding infants having lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto. In one embodiment, the device includes a support surface adapted to hold an infant; a boundary attached to and bolstering the support surface; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to secure the lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected from the infant. The support surface preferably has openings to enable skin-to-skin contact between the infant and a person holding the infant, and at least a portion of the support surface can be a nonabsorbent, open-weave webbed material. The boundary may include a foam member, and/or a flexible plastic or metal member to provide structural support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a transferring and holding device forhigh-risk neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients, and inparticular, to a transferring and holding device including a securingmechanism to secure lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitoring lead wires,and/or ventilator tubes, that are connected to an NICU patient.

It is known that holding an infant benefits both the infant and theparents by providing security and bonding. However, for a high-riskneonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infant, this seemingly simple taskcan be a very complicated matter. A critically ill infant may have adozen or more tubes and wires connecting him or her to life-support andmonitoring equipment. The NICU infant may be stable enough to be held byand benefit from human contact; however, such contact can pose asignificant risk of dislodging one or more of the lifelines in theprocess of transferring the infant from the bed into the parents' armsand back again. This can make the experience of holding an NICU infantconsiderably more stressful for both the parents and NICU staff.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,177 (the '177 patent) to Dunn discloses anadjustable pediatric incubator nest. The incubator nest includes aresilient base member and adjustable resilient foam sides. A fabricmaterial is provided on the resilient base member, and the sides includea plurality of slits and selectively removable segments for holdingtubes. The length and width of the base member is preferably made tomatch a specific incubator in which the nest is to be used. The '177patent does not address how to move an infant who has lifelinesattached.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,244 to McGrath-Saleh discloses a premature infantbedding construction. The bedding includes a generally U-shapedretaining wall that is constructed of a polyester fiber-filled tube. Thetube is formed from sewn lambskin. A lambskin base pad is attached tothe bottom of the retaining wall for supporting an infant. The beddingconstruction also includes a harness to hold the infant; however, thebedding construction does not include any mechanism to secure lifelinesconnected to the infant.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0206978 A1 to Hilton et al.discloses a vest for holding an NICU infant. The vest includes aplurality of relocatable straps containing hook material on one side forattaching to loop material on the exterior of the vest so that thestraps may be located where desired to hold IV tubes or other medicaltubing. No mechanism is provided for holding the tubes when transferringthe infant from a bed to the vest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a transferring and holding device isprovided for infants having lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor wireleads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto. The device includes asupport surface adapted to hold an infant; a generally U-shaped boundaryattached to and bolstering the support surface; and at least onesecuring mechanism adapted to secure the lifelines and to impede thelifelines from being disconnected from the infant.

The support surface may have openings to enable skin-to-skin contactbetween the infant and a person holding the infant. At least a portionof the support surface may be a nonabsorbent, open-weave webbedmaterial.

The boundary may include a foam member, and/or may include a flexibleplastic or metal member to provide structural support. The boundary canbe removable for separate washing of or replacement of the supportsurface. The support surface may include sleeves for insertion of atleast a portion of the boundary to facilitate removable attachmentthereof.

In one embodiment, the transferring and holding device includes at leasttwo securing mechanisms, wherein one of the securing mechanisms islocated on the device in an area that is above a region on the supportsurface configured to hold the head of the infant.

The securing mechanism may also include a base and spaced-apart pegsextending from the base. Some of the lifelines fit between the pegs andothers are wrapped around the pegs for securing the lifeline to thesecuring mechanism. The device may further include a cap, and whereinthe securing mechanism is configured for lifelines to be positionedbetween the base and the cap. The cap may include openings configuredand spaced apart to receive corresponding pegs, and the securingmechanism may further include a securing device to secure the cap to thebase.

In another embodiment, the securing mechanism has a base having slotsfor receipt of the lifelines and collars that are attachable to thelifelines to limit the movement of the lifelines with respect to theboundary. The securing mechanism may further include a cap covering theslots in the base.

In still another embodiment, the securing mechanism includes hooks andrings. One of either the hooks or rings are attachable to respectivelifelines and the other are attached to the boundary. The hooks mayinclude a releasable clasp.

In another embodiment of the invention, a transferring and holdingdevice is provided for infants having lifelines, such as IV tubes,monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto, wherein thetransferring and holding device includes a support surface adapted tohold an infant; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to securethe lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected fromthe infant, and wherein at least a portion of the securing mechanism isattached to the device and located in an area that extends above aregion on the support surface configured to hold the head of the infant.

The securing mechanism may be removable and relocatable on the securingmechanism. The support surface may include openings to enableskin-to-skin contact between the infant and a person holding the infant.

The device may further include a boundary attached to and bolstering thesupport surface. The boundary can have a generally U-shapedconfiguration with the base of the U extending above the region of thesupport surface configured to hold the head of the infant. The boundarymay include a foam member, and/or a plastic or metallic member that addsstructural support to the device.

The securing mechanism may include a base and pegs extending from andspaced apart on the base, and some lifelines may extend between thepegs, and others can be wrapped around the pegs to limit movement of thelifelines relative to the securing mechanism. Alternately, the securingmechanism may have a base with slots to receive lifelines and collarsattachable to the lifelines to limit movement of the lifelines withrespect to the infant. In another embodiment, the securing mechanismincludes hooks and rings, and one of either the hooks or rings areattachable to respective lifelines and the other are attached to thedevice.

It is also an embodiment of the invention to provide a method fortransferring and holding an infant having lifelines, such as IV tubes,monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected between the infantand medical equipment so as to impede the lifelines from beingdisconnected from the infant when transferring the infant from a bedinto the arms of a person holding the infant, wherein the methodincludes the steps of providing a transferring and holding device havinga support surface configured to hold an infant and at least one securingmechanism to secure lifelines connected to the infant; placing theinfant on the support surface; securing the lifelines to the securingmechanism before moving the infant; and transferring the infant, from abed into the arms of a person to hold the infant using the transferringand holding device.

The method may further include the step of providing openings in thesupport surface to enable skin-to-skin contact between the infant andthe person holding the infant. The method may also include the step ofproviding a boundary on the transferring and holding device thatbolsters the support surface. The boundary can have a generally U-shapedconfiguration with the bottom of the U extending over the infant's head.The boundary may include a flexible plastic or metallic member toprovide structural support to the device and securing mechanism.

The method for transferring and holding an infant having lifelines mayalso include the step of having at least a portion of the securingmechanism located over the top of the head of the infant. The securingmechanism may include a base and pegs that are spaced apart on andextending from the base. The method may further include the step ofwrapping at least one of the lifelines around the pegs to secure thelifeline thereto. Alternately, the securing mechanism may have a basehaving slots configured to receive respective lifelines and collars thatare attachable to the lifelines. The method may further include the stepof attaching collars to respective lifelines to limit the movement ofthe lifelines relative to the securing mechanism. In another embodiment,the securing mechanism may include hooks and rings, and the method forholding an infant may further include the steps of attaching one ofeither the hooks or rings to the transferring and holding device and theother to respective lifelines and securing the hooks to respective ringsto limit movement of the lifelines with respect to the device.

In another embodiment of the invention, a securing mechanism is providedfor securing lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor lead wires, andventilator tubes, connected to an infant, wherein the securing mechanismincludes a base and pegs spaced apart on and extending from the base. Atleast some of the pegs are spaced apart so as to permit a ventilatortube to extend therebetween, and other pegs are adapted to have alifeline wrapped therearound. The securing mechanism may further includea cap, and the mechanism is configured for lifelines to be positionedbetween the cap and the base. The cap may include openings configuredand spaced apart to receive corresponding pegs on the base. The securingmechanism may further include at least one securing device to secure thecap to the base. A material may be wrapped about the pegs to increasefriction between the pegs and lifelines to prevent slippage thereof.

In a different embodiment of the invention, a securing mechanism isprovided for securing lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor lead wires,and ventilator tubes, connected to an infant, wherein the securingmechanism includes a base having slots configured to receive thelifelines and collars attachable to the lifelines to limit movement ofthe lifelines with respect to the base. The securing mechanism mayfurther include a cap covering the slots in the base.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a securing mechanism isprovided for securing lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor lead wires,and ventilator tubes, connected to an infant, wherein the securingmechanism includes hooks and rings with one of either the hooks or ringsattached to the securing mechanism and the other attached to respectivelifelines. The hooks may include a releasable clasp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of obtaining them will become more apparent, and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the subject inventionfor a transferring and holding device having securing mechanisms tosecure lifelines connected to an infant;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transferring and holding device havingalternate securing mechanisms to secure lifelines connected to aninfant;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a transferring andholding device with relocatable securing mechanisms to secure lifelinesconnected to an infant;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a transferring andholding device with securing mechanisms to secure lifelines connected toan infant;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a U-shaped support member for the deviceof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the holding or sleeping surface of the deviceof FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 5 without an infantthereon and with the lifeline securing mechanisms removed;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a lifelinesecuring mechanism for use with the subject invention;

FIG. 10 is an assembled view of the lifeline securing mechanism of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an infanttransferring and holding device and lifeline securing mechanisms;

FIG. 12 is a side view of one of the lifeline securing mechanisms ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the lifeline securing mechanisms of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an infanttransferring and holding device and lifeline securing mechanisms;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the securing mechanisms taken alongline 15-15 of FIG. 14 showing the lifelines secured to the device; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a hook and a ring of the lifelinesecuring mechanisms of FIG. 14.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarilyto scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to betterillustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification setout herein illustrates certain embodiments of the invention, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, which are described below. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended. The invention includes any alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated devices and described methods andfurther applications of the principles of the invention, which wouldnormally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a transferring and holdingdevice for an NICU or lower-acuity pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)infant is shown, generally indicated as 10. Transferring and holdingdevice 10 is designed and configured to hold an infant 12, wherein thecrown of the infant's head is designated as 13. Device 10 also secureslifelines, generally indicated as 14, which include tubes and wiresattached to medical equipment for sustaining and monitoring the statusof infant 12. Lifelines 14 do not form a part of the transferring andholding device and may include a variety of known lines, such asflexible ventilator tubing 15, an oximeter cable 16, an umbilicalcatheter 17, EKG wires 18, a temperature probe 18 a, and a feeding tube19. It should be appreciated that the type, number, and location oflifelines 14 will vary depending upon the particular condition, age,size, and ailments of infant 12.

In this embodiment, transferring and holding device 10 includes asupport or sleeping surface, generally indicated as 20, which isconfigured to hold infant 12 in a comfortable manner; a boundary,generally indicated as 22, for providing support to the sleepingsurface; and a plurality of securing mechanisms, generally indicated as24 a, 24 b and 24 c, designed to secure lifelines 14 and prevent thelifelines from being dislodged, crimped or disconnected from infant 12when transporting the infant from a bed into the arms of a parent orcaregiver as is discussed in further detail below.

Sleeping surface 20 preferably includes openings 30 to allowskin-to-skin contact between infant 12 and a person holding the infant.In the embodiment shown, sleeping surface 20 is made from a nonabsorbentmaterial, such as nylon or polyester, that is provided in a weaved, webconfiguration.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, boundary 22 has a generally U-shapedconfiguration, including sides 32 a and 32 b and a base portion 34.Sides 32 a and 32 b extend along and straddle the sides of infant 12while base portion 34 extends over the crown 13 of infant 12's head. Asused in the specification and claims herein, when referring to theboundary or a securing mechanism being located above or over the crownof the head of the infant, this relates to the relative positioningbetween the crown 13 of infant 12 and base portion 34 of boundary 22 orthe relative position between securing mechanism 24 c and crown 13.Boundary 22 can be made from a foam material to provide soft support andmay be covered with a sanitary nonabsorbent material. Boundary 22 canalso include plastic or metallic inserts for additional support.Boundary 22 can be permanently attached to support surface 20 using anadhesive, stitches or straps, or the boundary may be removably attachedwith releasable fasteners, such as snaps or hook and loop fasteners, topermit the sleeping surface to be removed for washing or replacement.

In the embodiment shown, securing mechanisms 24 a-24 c each includesresilient clips 40 attached to a base 42 with fasteners 44. Clips 40have a generally serpentine configuration with expandable gaps 44located between humps 46. The lifelines are located in gaps 44 or inopenings beneath the humps. Securing mechanisms 24 a-24 c may bepermanently attached to the boundary using an adhesive or other knownattaching techniques, or the securing mechanisms may be removablyattached to the boundary with known devices, such as hook and loopfasteners or snaps. Attaching the securing mechanisms in a removablefashion offers the advantage of being able to remove one or more of thesecuring mechanisms that a particular infant may not need. Additionally,this allows the securing mechanisms to be repositioned to a preferredlocation based upon the size of the infant and particular lifelinesconnected thereto.

To use the device, the patient or infant is first placed on the supportsurface 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Device 10 and support surface 20are configured for the crown 13 of the head of infant 12 to be placedfacing the base portion 34 of boundary 22 as shown. In this manner,securing mechanism 24 c will also be located over the crown of infant12. Larger lifelines, such as ventilator tubes 15, may be placed in theopening under humps 46 of clips 40 or between the humps in a gap 44 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For wires, such as EKG wires 18, and smallertubing, such as feeding tube 19, the lifelines may be looped through andaround clips 40 in order to provide additional security to prevent thelifelines from being disconnected if they are accidentally tugged orpulled.

Although the clips are shown having a uniform configuration, it iscontemplated to provide the clips with varied sizes of gaps to bettermatch the size of the lifelines to be held. It should further beappreciated that the clips are designed and of sufficient stiffness tofirmly hold the lifelines to prevent them from being disconnected frominfant 12, yet not so tight so as to crimp or otherwise impair thefunction of the tubes or other lifelines. It should be furtherappreciated that materials used to make device 10 should be non-toxicand preferably recyclable. The materials should also be radiolucent,nonabsorbent, CT- and MRI-compatible. It is further contemplated thatdevice 10 and materials thereof may be sanitized for re-use or may bedesigned for single-patient use.

An important benefit of the invention is that an infant may have amultiplicity of lifelines connected to life-support equipment, yet stillbe stable enough to be held and benefit from human contact. The subjectinvention provides a mechanism and method to permit an infant havingsuch lifelines to be picked up and transferred from a bed or incubatorinto the arms of a parent or caregiver while preventing the lifelinesfrom becoming disconnected or crimped. If an infant cannot be removedfrom device 10 because of the number of lifelines while being held bythe parent, openings 30 in support surface 20 will still permitskin-to-skin contact between the infant and holder thereof through thesupport surface.

Now referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment transferring andholding device is shown, generally indicated as 110. Device 110 issimilar in other respects to transferring and holding device 10, exceptthat it includes alternate embodiment securing mechanisms 124 a, 124 band 124 c. Securing mechanisms 124 a-124 c each include pegs 140, spacedapart and extending generally perpendicular from a base 142 as bestshown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Pegs 140 define gaps 144 therebetween, whichare configured to receive lifelines 14. Pegs 144 may be manufacturedfrom or include a high friction material wrapped therearound to preventunintended sliding of lifelines 14 in gaps 144. Securing mechanisms 124a-124 c also include a cap 145 having holes or recesses 147 located inthe bottom side thereof that are configured to receive pegs. Holes 147may extend partially through or completely through cap 145. Securingmechanisms 124 a-124 c also include securing devices 148 for securingcaps 145 to bases 142. In the embodiment shown, securing devices 148include straps attached to cap 145, the straps having a hook materiallocated on the underside thereof. The straps are attachable to loopmaterial located beneath base 142 to secure cap 145 as shown in FIG. 10.

To use transferring and holding device 110, caps 145 are removed fromthe respective base 142, and the lifelines are placed between pegs 140in gaps 144, as shown in FIG. 10. Smaller lifelines, such as oximetercable 16 and EKG wires 18, may be wrapped around the respective pegs 140to keep the lifelines from being unintentionally pulled and disconnectedfrom infant 12. As discussed above, pegs 140 may be manufactured from orhave a high-resistance material wrapped therearound to help preclude thelifelines from sliding in gaps 144 relative to pegs 140.

Now referring to FIG. 4, another alternate embodiment transferring andholding device is shown, generally indicated as 210. Device 210 includesa sleeping surface 220, which can be made from material similar to thatof support surface 20 discussed above. However, to increase theflexibility of the support surface, device 210 does not include aboundary. Device 210 also includes securing mechanisms 224 a, 224 b, 224c, and 224 d that can be of the same type as either support mechanisms24 a-24 c or 124 a-124 c discussed above or any other securingmechanisms discussed herein. In this embodiment, securing mechanisms 224a-224 d are removably attached to support surface 220. Support surface220 includes a loop material 226 placed and attached in desiredlocations. It should be appreciated that securing mechanisms 224 a-224 dare provided with a hook material, as is known, attached to the bottomthereof for removably attaching the securing mechanisms in desiredlocations to loop material 226. It should also be appreciated that,alternately, hook material may be provided on support surface 220 andloop material on the bottom of the securing mechanisms. As thisembodiment is very flexible, it is very effective in allowing greatercontact between the infant and the person holding the infant while stillsecuring the lifelines.

Now referring to FIGS. 5-8, another alternate embodiment transferringand holding device is shown, generally indicated as 310 in which thelifelines have been removed for clarity. Device 310 includes a supportsurface 320 and a generally U-shaped support or boundary 322. Supportsurface 320 can be made from materials similar to those discussed abovefor the other support surfaces. Support surface 320 also includes a pairof sleeves 331 with one each on opposite sides of support surface 320 toreceive respective sides of the boundary as discussed below. In theembodiment shown, sleeves 331 are open at both ends 333 and attachedalong both sides 335. The sleeves 331 may be attached to either the topor the bottom of support surface 320; however, in the embodiment shown,the sleeves are attached to the bottom side of support surface 320 sothat boundary 322 will also be positioned beneath the support surface.Boundary 322 includes sides 337 a and 337 b and a base portion 339.Boundary 322 may be made from a metal or plastic material and ispreferably sized in both width and thickness to provide support todevice 310, yet also allow some flexibility.

To assemble and use device 310, the ends of sides 337 a and 337 b ofboundary 322 are inserted through the upper opening 333 of each sleeve331, and the sides are slid through the sleeves until boundary 322 ispositioned as shown in FIG. 8. In this manner, securing devices 224a-224 d can be attached where desired to loop material 226 on the top ofthe support surface as shown in FIG. 5. It should be appreciated thatattached sides 335 of sleeves 331 may be attached to boundary 322 usingknown techniques, such as sewing, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps.This enables removal of boundary 322 so that support surface 320 can bewashed or replaced. However, it should be realized that the sleeves 331could extend further along support surface 320 and that boundary 322 maybe permanently attached therein if desired.

Now referring to FIGS. 11-13, another alternate embodiment transferringand holding device is shown, generally indicated as 410. Device 410includes support surface 20 and boundary 22 similar to device 10;however, device 410 incorporates alternate embodiment securingmechanisms, generally indicated as 424 a, 424 b, and 424 c. Securingmechanisms 424 a-424 c each include a base having a multiplicity ofslots, a portion of which are indicated as 444 a-444 d, extendingtransversely across the top thereof as shown in FIG. 12. In theembodiment shown, the slots 444 a-444 d have varied sizes to betteraccommodate the different sizes of lifelines 14; however, it should beappreciated that the size and shape of the slots may be varied asdesired as to best accommodate lifelines 14 or the slots may be of auniform size or shape. Securing mechanisms 424 a-424 c also each includea cap 445; collars 446, which are attached to and sized to respectivelifelines 14; and securing devices 448.

To assemble and use transferring and holding device 410, collars 446 areattached to respective lifelines 14 using an adhesive in an area thatwill coincide with the inside of respective securing mechanisms 424a-424 c (FIG. 11). The lifelines are placed in respective slots 444a-444 d of the appropriate base 442 and caps 445 are placed over theslots and secured with securing devices 448 to secure the lifelines. Thesecuring mechanisms are attached and located on boundary 22 using hookand loop fasteners or other known techniques. In this arrangement, thelifelines can slacken in towards infant 12, but the collars limitoutward movement of the lifelines by contacting the respective securingmechanisms 424 a-424 c to prevent the lifelines from being disconnectedfrom the infant.

Another alternate embodiment transferring and holding device is shown,generally indicated as 510, in FIGS. 14 and 15. Device 510 includes asecuring mechanism, generally indicated as 524, that has a plurality ofrings 540 attached to boundary 22 and a plurality of clips or hooks 542attached to respective lifelines 14. Clips 542 may include a releasablespring-biased clasp 544, as best shown in FIG. 16, to better secure theclips to rings 542. Alternately, the clips may be attached to theboundaries and the rings to the lifelines.

While the invention has been taught with specific reference to theseembodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that changes can bemade in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, it should be appreciated that the differentsupport surfaces, boundaries, and securing mechanisms disclosed in thevarious embodiments may be interchanged, and that the number andlocation of securing mechanisms can be varied as desired based upon thesize, type and number of lifelines attached to the infant. In addition,other techniques may be used to secure the lifelines to the securingmechanisms, such as attaching a magnet or magnetizable material to thelifelines and attaching a corresponding attractive magnet ormagnetizable material to the securing mechanisms. The describedembodiments are to be considered, therefore, in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. As such, the scope of the invention isindicated by the following claims rather than by the description.

1. A transferring and holding device for holding infants havinglifelines, including IV tubes, monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes,connected thereto, the transferring and holding device including: asupport surface adapted to hold an infant, said support surface defininga plane in which the infant lies and having openings to enableskin-to-skin contact between the infant and a person holding the infant;a flexible generally U-shaped boundary attached to and bolstering thesupport surface, wherein the U of U-shaped boundary lies in a planegenerally parallel to the plane defined by the support surface forholding an infant; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to securethe lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected fromthe infant.
 2. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim1, wherein at least a portion of the support surface is a nonabsorbentopen-weave webbed material.
 3. The transferring and holding device asset forth in claim 1, wherein the boundary includes a foam member. 4.The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein theboundary includes a flexible plastic or metal member to providestructural support.
 5. The transferring and holding device as set forthin claim 1, wherein the boundary is removable for separate washing of orreplacement of the support surface.
 6. The transferring and holdingdevice as set forth in claim 5, wherein the support surface includessleeves for insertion of at least a portion of the boundary tofacilitate removable attachment thereof.
 7. The transferring and holdingdevice as set forth in claim 1, including at least two securingmechanisms, one of the securing mechanisms being located on thetransferring and holding device at a base of the U-shape in an area thatis above a region on the support surface configured to hold the head ofthe infant.
 8. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim1, wherein the securing mechanism includes a base and spaced-apart pegsextending from the base.
 9. The transferring and holding device as setforth in claim 8, wherein some of the pegs are spaced apart to receiveventilator tubes therebetween, and other pegs are configured forwrapping smaller lifelines therearound for securing the lifelines to thesecuring mechanism.
 10. The transferring and holding device as set forthin claim 9, wherein the securing mechanism includes a cap, and thesecuring mechanism is configured for lifelines to be positioned betweenthe base and the cap.
 11. The transferring and holding device as setforth in claim 10, wherein the cap includes openings configured andspaced apart to receive corresponding pegs.
 12. The transferring andholding device as set forth in claim 11, further including a securingdevice to secure the cap to the base.
 13. A transferring and holdingdevice for holding infants having lifelines, including IV tubes, monitorwire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto, the transferringand holding device including: a support surface adapted to hold aninfant, said support surface defining a plane in which the infant lies;a flexible generally U-shaped boundary attached to and bolstering thesupport surface, wherein the U of U-shaped boundary lies in a planegenerally parallel to the plane defined by the support surface forholding an infant; at least one securing mechanism adapted to secure thelifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected from theinfant, and wherein the securing mechanism has a base having slots forreceipt of the lifelines and collars that are attachable to and movablewith the lifelines to limit the movement of the lifelines with respectto the boundary by contacting said base as the lifelines move in adirection away from the infant.
 14. The transferring and holding deviceas set forth in claim 13, further including a cap covering the slots inthe base of a securing mechanism.
 15. The transferring and holdingdevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism includeshooks and rings.
 16. The transferring and holding device as set forth inclaim 15, wherein one of the hooks or rings are attachable to respectivelifeline and the other are attached to the boundary.
 17. Thetransferring and holding device as set forth in claim 16, wherein thehooks include a releasable clasp.
 18. A transferring and holding devicefor holding infants having lifelines, including IV tubes, monitor wireleads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto, the transferring andholding device including: a support surface adapted to hold an infant,and wherein the support surface includes openings to enable skin-to-skincontact between the infant and a person holding the infant; and at leastone securing mechanism adapted to secure the lifelines and to impede thelifelines from being disconnected from the infant, at least a portion ofthe securing mechanism being attached to the transferring and holdingdevice and located in an area that extends above a region on the supportsurface configured to hold the head of the infant and locatedsubstantially in line with an axis of the infant through the infant'storso, neck and head as the infant is lying on the support surface. 19.The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim 18, whereinthe securing mechanism is relocatable on the transferring and holdingdevice.
 20. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim18, further including a boundary attached to and bolstering the supportsurface.
 21. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim20, wherein the boundary has a generally U-shaped configuration with thebase of the U extending above the region of the support surfaceconfigured to hold the head of the infant, and the U-shape lies in aplane substantially parallel to a plane defined by the support surface.22. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim 20,wherein the boundary includes a foam member.
 23. The transferring andholding device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the boundary includes aplastic or metallic member that adds structural support to the device.24. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim 18,wherein the securing mechanism includes a base and pegs extending fromand spaced apart on the base, and wherein some of the pegs are spaced toreceive ventilator tubes therebetween, and others are configured forwrapping smaller lifelines therearound to limit movement of thelifelines relative to the securing mechanism.
 25. A transferring andholding device for holding infants having lifelines, including IV tubes,monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto, thetransferring and holding device including: a support surface adapted tohold an infant; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to securethe lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected fromthe infant, at least a portion of the securing mechanism being attachedto the transferring and holding device and located in an area thatextends above a region on the support surface configured to hold thehead of the infant and located substantially in line with an axis of theinfant through the infant's torso, neck and head as the infant is lyingon the support surface, and wherein the securing mechanism has a basehaving slots configured to receive lifelines and collars that areattachable to and movable with the lifelines to limit movement of thelifelines with respect to an infant on the transferring and holdingdevice.
 26. The transferring and holding device as set forth in claim18, wherein the securing mechanism includes hooks and rings, and one ofeither the hooks or rings are attachable to respective lifelines and theother are attached to the transferring and holding device.
 27. A methodfor transferring and holding an infant having lifelines, including IVtubes, monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected between theinfant and medical equipment so as to impede the lifelines from beingdisconnected from the infant when transferring the infant from a bedinto the arms of a person holding the infant, the method including thesteps of: providing a transferring and holding device including asupport surface configured to hold an infant and at least one securingmechanism to secure lifelines connected to the infant; providingopenings in the support surface to enable skin-to-skin contact betweenthe infant and the person holding the infant; placing the infant on thesupport surface; securing the lifelines to the securing mechanism beforemoving the infant; and transferring the infant from a bed into the armsof a person to hold the infant using the transferring and holdingdevice.
 28. The method for transferring and holding an infant havinglifelines as set forth in claim 27, including the step of providing aboundary on the transferring and holding device that bolsters thesupport surface.
 29. The method for transferring and holding an infanthaving lifelines as set forth in claim 28, wherein the boundary has agenerally U-shaped configuration with the bottom of the U extending overthe infant's head, and the U-shape lies in a plane substantiallyparallel to a plane defined by the support surface.
 30. The method fortransferring and holding an infant having lifelines as set forth inclaim 28, wherein the boundary includes a flexible plastic or metallicmember to provide structural support to the transferring and holdingdevice and securing mechanism.
 31. The method for transferring andholding an infant having lifelines as set forth in claim 27, wherein atleast a portion of the securing mechanism is located over the top of thehead of the infant, and is further located substantially in line with anaxis of the infant through the infant's torso, neck and head as theinfant is lying on the support surface.
 32. The method for transferringand holding an infant having lifelines as set forth in claim 27, whereinthe securing mechanism includes a base and pegs that are spaced apart onand extending from the base.
 33. The method for transferring and holdingan infant having lifelines as set forth in claim 32, further includingthe step of wrapping at least one of the lifelines around the pegs tosecure the lifeline thereto.
 34. The method for transferring and holdingan infant having lifelines as set forth in claim 27, wherein thesecuring mechanism has a base having slots configured to receivelifelines and collars that are attachable to and movable with thelifelines.
 35. The method for transferring and holding an infant havinglifelines as set forth in claim 34, further including the step ofattaching collars to respective lifelines to limit the movement of thelifelines relative to the securing mechanism by said collars contactingsaid base of said securing mechanism as the lifelines move in adirection away from the infant.
 36. The method for transferring andholding an infant having lifelines as set forth in claim 27, wherein thesecuring mechanism includes hooks and rings.
 37. The method fortransferring and holding an infant having lifelines as set forth inclaim 36, further including the steps of attaching one of either thehooks or rings to the transferring and holding device and the other torespective lifelines and securing the hooks to respective rings to limitmovement of the lifelines with respect to the transferring and holdingdevice.